Search Our Site

Login

Become a Member

MAP membership and certain MAP materials are restricted to the staff and board members of LGBT movement organizations and/or major funders of the movement for LGBT equality. Click below to become a member of MAP.

Sexual Orientation Policy Tally

The term “sexual orientation” is loosely defined as a person’s pattern of romantic or sexual attraction to people of the opposite sex or gender, the same sex or gender, or more than one sex or gender. Laws that explicitly mention sexual orientation primarily protect or harm lesbian, gay, and bisexual people. That said, transgender people who are lesbian, gay or bisexual can be affected by laws that explicitly mention sexual orientation.

Gender Identity Policy Tally

“Gender identity” is a person’s deeply-felt inner sense of being male, female, or something else or in-between. “Gender expression” refers to a person’s characteristics and behaviors such as appearance, dress, mannerisms and speech patterns that can be described as masculine, feminine, or something else. Gender identity and expression are independent of sexual orientation, and transgender people may identify as heterosexual, lesbian, gay or bisexual. Laws that explicitly mention “gender identity” or “gender identity and expression” primarily protect or harm transgender people. These laws also can apply to people who are not transgender, but whose sense of gender or manner of dress does not adhere to gender stereotypes.

Thanks for signing up!

We appreciate you signing up for the MAP newsletter. You will receive an automatic email confirmation shortly.

*Note: For Washington state and Washington D.C., family leave is currently permitted, but paid leave for spousal/partner care will not begin until January 1, 2020.

*Note: Some cities and counties (below) have passed local sick or family leave laws. These vary considerably in scope, coverage, and definitions. For more information on the specifics of these laws, visit A Better Balance.

Percent of Adult LGBT Population Covered by Laws

*Note: These percentages reflect estimates of the LGBT adult population living in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Estimates of the LGBT adult population in the five inhabited U.S. territories are not available, and so cannot be reflected here.

15%

15 % of LGBT population lives in states where workers can take leave to care for a same-sex partner, even if the couple is not legally recognized

23%

23 % of LGBT population lives in states where workers can take leave to care for a same-sex partner, but only if the couple is in a legally recognized relationship

62%

62 % of LGBT population lives in states lacking leave law

32%

32 % of LGBT population lives in states that provide pay during time off

State family leave laws govern whether a person can take leave from work to care for a child. Barriers to parental recognition for same-sex couples raising children often mean that one parent lacks legal ties to the child or children they are raising. Parents who are not legal parents may be denied this leave unless the state recognizes parents in loco parentis.

Law grants workers leave to care for a child for whom the worker is parenting, even if the worker lacks a legal or biological relationship to the child(9 states, 1 territory + D.C.)

Law grants workers leave to care for a child only if the worker has a legal or biological relationship to the child (7 states, 1 territory)

State lacks leave law (34 states, 3 territories)

State leave law includes pay during time off (8 states, 1 territory + D.C.)

Workers caring for children who are not their legal children can still take federal FMLA leave as the federal government does not require the person acting as a parent to be a legal parent to the child. Maryland's leave law does not explicitly define child; the Commissioner on Labor and Industry has proposed regulations that would adopt the federal Family Medical Leave Act rules and regulations. Washington has passed a paid leave law, but it is not yet funded.

*Leave available for parents upon the adoption of a child under the age of seven only

*Note: Some cities and counties (below) have passed local sick or family leave laws. These vary considerably in scope, coverage, and definitions. For more information on the specifics of these laws, visit A Better Balance.

Percent of Adult LGBT Population Covered by Laws

*Note: These percentages reflect estimates of the LGBT adult population living in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Estimates of the LGBT adult population in the five inhabited U.S. territories are not available, and so cannot be reflected here.

34%

34 % of LGBT population lives in states where workers can take leave to care for a child for whom the worker is parenting, even if the worker lacks a legal or biological relationship to the child

8%

8 % of LGBT population lives in states where workers can take leave to care for a child only if the worker has a legal or biological relationship to the child

58%

58 % of LGBT population lives in states lacking leave law

32%

32 % of LGBT population lives in states that provide pay during time off

Key

State has this lawLeave law permits leave

Leave law includes pay during time off

State does not have this lawLeave law does not permit leave

State

State leave law permits leave for same-sex spouse or partner regardless of relationship status

State leave law permits leave only for a legally recognized spouse/partner

State leave law permits leave for a child, regardless of legal tie to worker

State leave law permits workers leave for a child only if the worker has a legal or biological relationship to the child

A Brief Overview of MAP

Founded in 2006, the Movement Advancement Project (MAP) is an independent, nonprofit think tank that provides rigorous research, insight and communications that help speed equality and opportunity for all.

MAP works to ensure that all people have a fair chance to pursue health and happiness, earn a living, take care of the ones they love, be safe in their communities, and participate in civic life. MAP is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and donations to MAP are 100% tax-deductible. You can read more about MAP and the work we do on our About page.